Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, RI– Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea is reminding Rhode Islanders that they have until Tuesday, October 18, to submit a mail ballot application to their local board of canvassers for the statewide general election on November 8.
Mail ballot applications must be received by Tuesday, October 18, not postmarked. Voters may place applications in the mail or drop them off in person at their local board of canvassers. Addresses for all boards of canvassers can be found on the back of the mail ballot application.
“Voting by mail is a safe and secure option for casting your ballot,” said Secretary Gorbea. “I strongly encourage all Rhode Islanders that wish to vote from home with a mail ballot to put their applications in the mail at least a week before the deadline to ensure they are received in time.”
The Department of State has partnered with public libraries throughout Rhode Island to make mail ballot applications available. Registered voters may also access a mail ballot application by visiting vote.ri.gov or by contacting the Department of State’s Elections Division at 401-222-2340 or elections@sos.ri.gov.
Voters who do not return their mail ballot application by the October 18 deadline, or those who prefer to vote in person can still vote in person, either early or on Election Day. Early voting will be available during regular municipal business hours from October 19 through 4:00 p.m. on November 7. Voters may contact their local board of canvassers for details on early voting. Voters choosing to vote on Election Day should go to vote.ri.gov to check their polling place information.
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La Secretaria Gorbea les Recuerda a los Habitantes de Rhode Island de la fecha límite del 18 de octubre
Para Presentar las Solicitudes Para Votar por Correo
PROVIDENCE, RI – La Secretaria de Estado Nellie M. Gorbea les recuerda a los habitantes de Rhode Island que tienen hasta el martes, 18 de octubre, para presentar sus solicitudes para votar por correo para las Elecciones Generales del 8 de noviembre.
Las solicitudes para votar por correo deben ser recibidas por su junta local de elecciones, a más tardar el martes 18 de octubre y no llevar matasellos. Los votantes deben entregar sus solicitudes personalmente a su junta local de elecciones o enviarlas por correo. Las direcciones de las juntas locales de elecciones, las puede encontrar en la parte posterior de la solicitud para votar por correo.
“Votar por correo es una forma segura de emitir su voto”, dijo la Secretaria Gorbea. “Yo recomiendo encarecidamente a todos los habitantes de Rhode Island que desean votar desde casa con una papeleta de votación por correo, que envíen sus solicitudes para votar por correo por lo menos una semana antes de la fecha límite, para así asegurarse que sean recibidas a tiempo”.
El Departamento de Estado se ha asociado con las bibliotecas públicas alrededor de Rhode Island para hacer que las solicitudes de votación por correo se encuentren disponibles. Los votantes registrados también pueden acceder a las solicitudes de votación por correo visitando vote.ri.gov o comunicándose con la División de Elecciones del Departamento de Estado al 401-222-2340 o a elections@sos.ri.gov.
Aquellos votantes que no devuelvan sus solicitudes para votar por correo antes de la fecha límite del 18 de octubre o aquellos votantes que prefieran votar lo pueden hacer, ya sea votando por adelantado en persona o en el Día de las Elecciones. La votación por adelantado en persona estará disponible durante el horario regular municipal de atención al público desde el 19 de octubre hasta el 7 de noviembre. Los votantes pueden comunicarse con su junta local de elecciones para obtener más detalles sobre la votación por adelantado en persona. Los votantes que elijan votar en el Día de las Elecciones pueden visitar vote.ri.gov para verificar la información de sus locales de votación.

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PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is excited to announce that Rhody Critter Kits are back for another year. Educational resources for K-8 educators organized thematically into learning modules, Critter Kits contain lesson plans, activities, videos, hands-on learning guides, and other fun-filled resources developed by the DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Wildlife Outreach staff. The kits emphasize native wildlife species, conservation work, and management practices.
“Rhody Critter Kits have been designed to connect elementary-age students to the wildlife resources right in their own backyards and communities, as well as spread awareness about wildlife conservation work in Rhode Island,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “I appreciate the effort, creativity, and sense of fun that our Wildlife Outreach team put into making these vibrant materials, and am particularly proud that our team developed them to conform with Next Generation Science Standards. Science is central to our lives and DEM hopes that Critter Kits will spark an interest in today’s students to solve problems, tinker, build things, tear things apart, and explore outside.”
“In our Rhody Critter Kits, we included video interviews with our biologists and fun virtual field trips to give students a behind-the-scenes look at conservation work in action,” said Wildlife Outreach Coordinator Mary Gannon. “We’ve also included resources and suggestions on how teachers and students can get involved and help wildlife right in their own schoolyards, backyards, and communities. Whether it’s submitting an observation of a frog through the DEM HerpObserver app or planting native plants in your school garden, there are lots of ways educators can create direct connections to our wildlife and contribute to conservation. These resources aren’t just for classroom teachers, either. We encourage informal educators, homeschooling families, scouting groups, and other groups interested in Rhode Island’s wildlife to check them out! We also have partnered with the RI Office of Library and Information Services to provide a set of kits for children’s librarians.”
DEM Wildlife Outreach staff have developed five kits: Feathered Friends, Bat Chat, Keeping the Balance, Scales and Slime, and Home Sweet Habitat. Kits are available to borrow, free of charge, for two weeks at a time. To reserve a kit, visit www.dem.ri.gov/critterkits to view available dates and then fill out the reservation form to request a kit. Once your reservation has been confirmed, your kit may be picked up any time during your reservation period. Educators in the Providence, Bristol, and Kent Counties may borrow kits through the Washington Park Library in Providence. Educators in Washington and Newport Counties may borrow kits through the DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Great Swamp Headquarters in West Kingston. Librarians should reserve kits through the OLIS Equipment Catalog. All written resources are available online for use anytime by visiting the Critter Kits website.
The Rhody Critter Kits program is made possible through support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program and State Wildlife Grants (SWG) from hunting licenses, permits, and excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment. Monies are allocated each year to DEM through the WSFR Program to fund wildlife research, monitoring, habitat acquisition and restoration, wildlife outreach programs, and aquatic resource and hunter education courses. Additional funds from the SWG Program are allocated to support conservation and outreach efforts for Rhode Island’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
For additional questions about Rhody Critter Kits and Wildlife Outreach Program, please email mary.gannon@dem.ri.gov.
For more information on DEM programs and services, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), Facebook, or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem and @ri.fishandwildlife).

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is identifying Justin Harvey, 36, of Narragansett, as the decedent in a kayaking accident that took place in Narragansett on Oct. 1. A fisherman found Mr. Harvey’s body on a stretch of sand just east of Roger Wheeler State Beach Oct. 4 at 8 AM. Mr. Harvey was a commercial fisherman on a boat based in Point Judith.
A DEM Division of Law Enforcement investigation has found that Mr. Harvey and his girlfriend accessed the beach from a public right of way and paddled out in two separate kayaks at 9:30 PM Oct. 1. A strong tide pulled them farther from shore into rough water where Mr. Harvey’s kayak sank. His girlfriend jumped into the water and tried to rescue him but could not pull him up to the surface. A Marine Task Force contingent including boats from the Narragansett Fire Department, Portsmouth Fire Department, and the Unites States Coast Guard responded and searched for Mr. Harvey until 2 AM Oct. 2 before suspending because of poor weather conditions. The cause of death is not known at this time and will be determined by the Medical Examiners’ Office. The victim and his girlfriend were not wearing lifejackets at the time of the accident.
There have been three boating fatalities in Rhode Island in 2022 (Newport, July 14; Lincoln Woods State Park, July 23). All involved paddle craft and none of the victims was wearing a lifejacket at the time of the incident. DEM offers sincere sympathies to Mr. Harvey’s family and loved ones.

CRANSTON, R.I. – At yesterday’s meeting of the Rhode Island Board of Elections, the Board voted unanimously to adopt a new written protocol for the proofing and testing of ExpressVote machines prior to the November 8th general election and early voting period, which begins on October 19th.
Following issues identified during the early voting period for the September 13th primary election, Board of Elections staff worked closely with the Secretary of State’s Office (SOS) and ExpressVote vendor Election Systems & Software (ES&S) to develop the new protocol to ensure better collaboration between all parties during the proofing and testing period. In summary:
– ES&S will now provide the SOS with virtual ExpressVote screens to proof the onscreen ballots prior to Logic and Accuracy testing.
– The SOS will now certify that all ballot types, both printed and electronic, have been reviewed by their office for accuracy.
– The Board of Elections, as part of testing, will compare the ExpressVote screen to an actual test ballot, and verify that both the screen and printed ExpressVote card are accurate.
– Test cards will be inserted into the corresponding DS200 to confirm tabulation.
A detailed overview of the ExpressVote proofing and testing process is available here.
“Over the last three weeks, our staff has worked in close collaboration with the Secretary of State’s Office and Election Systems & Software to develop this new protocol to ensure that ExpressVote onscreen ballots and printed ExpressVote cards are accurate,” said Robert Rapoza, Executive Director of the Board of Elections. “Using this new protocol, ExpressVote and DS200 proofing and testing will be completed in the coming days, and prior to the start of early voting on October 19th. With these measures in place, Rhode Island voters can have full confidence casting their ballots utilizing ExpressVote machines.”
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WARWICK, RI – Governor Dan McKee announced today the state will start issuing Child Tax Rebates to qualifying families beginning today, Monday, October 3.
Child Tax Rebate payments are one of the important ways Rhode Island families benefit from the Fiscal Year 2023 budget signed by Governor McKee and approved by the General Assembly. The budget provides targeted taxpayer relief for Rhode Islanders, makes historic investments to address the housing crisis, and strengthens Rhode Island’s economy while providing financial relief to families, veterans, and local businesses.
The tax cut plan within the budget includes the Governor’s proposal to offer child tax rebates of $250 per child, up to three children, for Rhode Island residents making up to $100,000 for an individual and $200,000 for joint filers. This plan is expected to support nearly 115,000 Rhode Island families.
“Our Administration is continuing to deliver relief to Rhode Islanders as we build on our state’s economic momentum,” said Governor Dan McKee. “The Child Tax Rebate Program allows us to distribute over $40 million in direct support specifically to middle and lower-income families with children. We know costs are rising nationwide, and that’s why Rhode Island is continuing to step up and provide relief on utility prices, small business taxes, and everyday costs.”
The Governor was joined for the announcement by Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ryan W. Pearson, EOHHS Acting Assistant Secretary Yvette Mendez, and Tax Administrator Neena S. Savage at Little Learners Academy Kent County, a locally-owned child care facility in Warwick.
“The best investment our state can make is helping our working families,” said Lt. Governor Sabina Matos. “This rebate will help ensure that kids across the state have the resources they need to grow and thrive. Our economy is getting stronger, and steps like this ensure that Rhode Island families benefits first and foremost from that.”
“For working Rhode Islanders who are feeling the pinch of rising prices, every dollar matters. We’re putting money back in the pockets of nearly 115,000 working families with children,” said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. “When we crafted the state budget, our goal was to provide relief that would impact all Rhode Islanders. In addition to the child tax rebate for families, we permanently eliminated the car tax, increased the ‘circuit breaker’ tax exemption for seniors, reduced the state income tax on Social Security, and eliminated the state tax on military pensions. These are real benefits that will make a difference in people’s lives.”
“The state’s first ever child tax credit is one of several steps we were able to take this year to help Rhode Islanders struggling with higher rents, higher grocery bills, and higher costs at the pump,” said Sen. Ryan W. Pearson (D-Dist. 19, Cumberland, Lincoln), who chairs the Senate Finance Committee. “With the guiding principle of making sound investments and providing relief to all Rhode Islanders, I think these efforts will have a real impact to help families during difficult financial times.”
“The Division of Taxation takes seriously its responsibility to aid taxpayers at a time when inflation is on the rise. Our team has worked to make sure these checks will get into people’s hands as quickly as possible and has ways that a taxpayer can get their questions answered about these payments, or any tax issue, whether that is through a dedicated web tool, email, or by phone,” said Tax Administrator Neena S. Savage.
“The Child Tax Rebate Program helps put food on the table and give working families some breathing room during these challenging times,” said Executive Office of Health & Human Services Acting Secretary Ana Novais. “We are making important progress in helping families lead strong, healthy, and independent lives. I would like to thank Governor McKee, Lt. Governor Matos, the General Assembly, and every community advocate who has championed these rebates for Rhode Island families. With these investments, our state is on a strong path to increase equity and opportunity.”
The rebate program is administered by the Rhode Island Division of Taxation. The Division will disburse payments to qualified tax filers over the next several weeks. Information about the Child Tax Rebate program, including a rebate payment tracker, can be found on the Division’s website here: https://tax.ri.gov/guidance/special-programs/2022-child-tax-rebates. This page will be updated frequently and most questions can be answered by using the resources available on that page.
Any additional questions or comments regarding the Child Tax Rebate should be directed to the Division’s Personal Income Tax Section by e-mail at Tax.assist@tax.ri.gov or by phone at (401) 574-8242.
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PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are announcing today that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $161,158 to DEM through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) to help Rhode Island farmers expand market access for local fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops.
The program aims to enhance the competitiveness of farmers by increasing consumption through consumer awareness of Rhode Island-grown produce and plants through buy-local promotions; create new marketing opportunities for suppliers of produce and specialty crop plants through nontraditional markets; and research and develop new crops to introduce to producers to incorporate into the mix of produce and plants already grown and offered in the state.
“COVID-19 showed us how crucial it is to improve systems that provide all Rhode Islanders with consistent access to safe, healthy, and affordable food,” said Governor McKee. “This specialty crop grant program will encourage new and better markets for producers and consumers and improve the resiliency of our food supply chain.”
“DEM is always working to support local farmers and planters in growing their businesses,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “Specialty Crop Block Grants help achieve more home-grown Rhode Island food on the table, help the environment by minimizing transportation costs and reducing carbon emissions, and boost the local economy while providing the freshest product possible to the consumer. These grants are investments that will further enhance the share of profits for those who grow, harvest, process, and prepare our food.”
The grant recipients are:
o The Rhode Island Fruit Growers Association $22,260 – Improved integrated pest management (IPM) for Rhode specialty crop growers through accurate weather data.
o Southside Community Land Trust $38,640 – Outreach and education to socially disadvantaged farmers for growing specialty crops to meet underserved markets.
o The Rhode Island Food Policy Council $29,937.60 – Equitable growth and technical assistance for small and beginning Rhode Island specialty crop producers.
o Farm Fresh Rhode Island $37,776 – growing local food champions and exploring local food with culinary students.
o The RI Farm Incubator $32,541 – Increasing yields in high-intensity specialty vegetables for regional growers through integrated cropping methods.
Since 2016, DEM has awarded more than $900,000 in grants through the USDA SCBGP. SCBGP assists state departments of agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. This round funding to Rhode Island is part of a total of $72.9 million in non-competitive FY 2022 SCBGP funding awarded to 55 states, territories, and the District of Columbia.
The funding for the SCBGP grants is authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill and FY2022 funding is awarded for a
three-year period beginning September 30, 2022. More information about the 2022 SCBGP awarded grants is available on this webpage.
For more information about DEM divisions and programs, visit www.dem.ri.gov or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.

Rhode Island Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Administrator Carlos C. Machado, Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Chief Operating Officer Loren Doyle, and Westerly Town Manager Shawn Lacey today joined other state and local leaders to celebrate the completion of the Cottrell Bridge in Westerly, an important link for the community connecting Route 78 and Route 1.
RIDOT replaced the structurally deficient bridge using corrosion resistant fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) tub girders instead of steel beams. This accelerated bridge construction method allowed RIDOT to compress work that normally would have stretched a full construction season into just three months. A shorter duration closure not only cut down on the length of time drivers needed to detour, it reduced emissions that would have resulted from a longer-term detour.
“Along rural roads in Rhode Island like this one, closing a bridge is a big deal given the distances people need to travel to get around it,” Governor Dan McKee said. “That’s why we’re so grateful for the diligent work of the men and women on RIDOT’s team that fast-tracked this work and reopened this road in very short order.”
“FHWA’s commitment to innovation is central to much of what the Agency will continue to do over the next several years,” Administrator Machado said. “We have already seen innovation improve our roads and bridges to increase safety and accessibility for our residents and travelers. But new technologies – such as accelerate bridge construction – hold the promise to dramatically reduce highway closures, fatalities and expand access to transportation for traditionally underserved communities. So, encouraging innovation, while ensuring safety is more important than ever for my Administration.”
“This is another example of RIDOT meeting the needs of the community, employing innovative bridge construction methods to replace this bridge as quickly as possible and provide a safe, modern bridge that will serve Westerly for decades to come,” RIDOT Director Peter Alviti, Jr. said.
“The residents of the Town of Westerly certainly now recognize Route 91 as a major artery and thoroughfare linking so many parts of our community,” Town Manager Shawn Lacey said. “The replacement and upgrade of the Cottrell Bridge was vital to ensure the safety of the surrounding wildlife habitat and especially for the over 4,300 vehicles that traverse the bridge daily. We are pleased and grateful for the professional and diligent work by RIDOT in fast-tracking the project to meet the needs and lessen the burden to the commuters here in Westerly.”
The replacement of the bridge was timed to coordinate with the Department of Environmental Management’s requirement to schedule certain construction activities only during a low-flow period for the McGowan Brook to minimize any impact on the environment.
With the reopening, the 8-ton weight limit has been removed. Some final detail work may be needed weekdays as the $5.5 million project wraps up. The Cottrell Bridge carries approximately 4,300 vehicles per day.
All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.
This bridge replacement project is made possible by RhodeWorks and the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Improvement Act. RIDOT is committed to bringing Rhode Island’s infrastructure into a state of good repair while respecting the environment and striving to improve it. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Secretary of Housing Josh Saal announced on Friday that the State has awarded six community organizations a total of $3.5 million to add 231 new beds to the statewide homeless shelter capacity.
This $3.5 million in funding is the first round of awards from a $5 million solicitation for proposals related to shelter expansion that was distributed to qualified vendors in early September. These six projects will create 231 new beds that will be utilized this winter to better serve individuals and households across the state who are experiencing homelessness. This is in addition to 64 new beds that were funded earlier this summer through the Consolidated Homeless Fund.
“Especially as the winter months approach, it is critically important that our community shelters have the capacity to ensure all Rhode Islanders have a safe, warm place to sleep at night,” said Governor Dan McKee. “We thank Rhode Island’s strong network of social service and housing organizations for responding to this solicitation quickly, and for doing the hard work of getting these beds operational.”
“Rhode Island is moving swiftly to protect our unhoused populations through the winter months,” said Lt. Governor Sabina Matos. “This first round of funding will create beds in some of our highest-need communities in every corner of the state. We’re looking forward to using the remainder of these funds to go even further to provide safety and stability to Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness.”
Organizations and projects that will receive funding in the first round of awards include:
– Amos House Family Shelter (Pawtucket): $1,338,655
– Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center (Central Falls): $966,870
– Catholic Social Services of Rhode Island (Providence): $20,000
– Sojourner House (Providence): $180,899
– Thrive Behavior Health (West Warwick): $827,103
– Westerly Area Rest Meals (WARM) Center (Westerly): $220,103
“We are pleased to deliver a high-impact level of funding to support fully planned projects less than a month after our request for proposals was distributed,” said Rhode Island Secretary of Housing Josh Saal. “While our long-term goal is to take a comprehensive approach that diverts people from homelessness and ultimately functionally ends homelessness in Rhode Island entirely through the creation of supportive housing, expanding shelter capacity provides much-needed, immediate relief for individuals and families experiencing homelessness today. I thank our partners across the state for giving voice to the voiceless, and the front-line workers for their tireless commitment to the vulnerable populations they serve day in, day out.”
“Having worked closely with the providers and Governor McKee and Secretary Saal, I am encouraged by all who have worked diligently to get to this first step to provide shelter beds for the growing number of unhoused individuals and families in the state,” said Neil D. Steinberg, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation, who worked closely with Governor McKee, Secretary Saal and housing providers on developing solutions to meet the need. “The Governor’s commitment to quickly continuing this effort will enable the providers to manage shelters for all that need it as the cold weather approaches.”
“Last night, as the weather got chilly enough that many homes turned on their heat, we know of 370 people who slept outside. We are pleased that Governor McKee and Director Saal have moved quickly to disburse funding so shelter beds can be ready before freezing temperatures arrive,” said Caitlin Frumerie, Executive Director, Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless. “We still have a way to go to address this growing crisis, but we will continue to collaborate until no one is living outside. We congratulate the organizations who were awarded funds and thank them for working diligently to expand their services.”
The Department of Housing expects to announce further awards related to shelter expansion in the coming weeks.
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On Thursday night, October 6, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will change the traffic pattern on Route 138 East in Newport, shifting traffic onto the new Route 138 extension road to Admiral Kalbfus Road.
The new Route 138 extension will follow the path of a redesigned section of Halsey Street. Motorists entering Newport via the Pell Bridge will just continue along Route 138 as they do today and follow it to a new traffic signal at Admiral Kalbfus Road. To continue following Route 138 toward Middletown and Portsmouth, they will turn right at the traffic signal instead of left.
The change does not affect traffic on JT Connell Highway northbound, which will continue to use the elevated highway over Admiral Kalbfus Road, ending at the traffic signal in front of the former Newport Grand casino. That section of road will remain in service until next spring.
The $74 million Pell Bridge Ramps Phase 2 project is redesigning the road network connecting to the Pell Bridge to make travel into Newport easy and safe. It includes a new efficient ramp system that will reduce congestion, especially the backup of vehicles on the bridge from the Downtown Newport exit, and improve the connection between Newport’s North End and the downtown area. With a smaller footprint, the new design also will spur economic development as it frees up approximately 25 acres of land. It will be finished by the end of 2024. More details about the project are available at www.ridot.net/PellBridgeRamps.
All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.
This bridge replacement project is made possible by RhodeWorks and the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Improvement Act. RIDOT is committed to bringing Rhode Island’s infrastructure into a state of good repair while respecting the environment and striving to improve it. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is pleased to announce the launch of the National Archery in the Schools Program. The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®), promotes instruction in international-style target archery as an in-school program for students fourth grade through high school, typically taught as part of a Physical Education class over the course of two weeks. In addition, archery can also be incorporated into other classes and subject matter throughout the school day such as history, language, and art.
“Archery is a sport accessible to anyone,” said DEM NASP® RI Program Coordinator Branton Elleman. “Since its inception two decades ago, NASP® has safely helped students learn skills required to be successful both in the classroom and in life, such as focus, self-control, discipline, and patience. With a standardized set of lessons and equipment put to use during school hours and opportunities for scholastic tournaments and post-secondary scholarships, NASP® also opens the door to competitive sport for those who never found their place in ‘traditional’ athletic pursuits. While DEM has always promoted archery as a safe, accessible sport and hobby, we are excited to be partnering with the NASP® organization to offer this opportunity to Rhode Island teachers and schools.”
“On behalf of our entire NASP® team, we are delighted for the great days ahead for Rhode Island student-archers in grades 4-12. We know that the positive impact that has already occurred with 20 million other lives, will be replicated there as well,” NASP® President Tommy Floyd said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to make Rhode Island our 48th NASP® state. NASP® is absolutely committed to making this new partnership grow and expand as schools discover the many benefits of in-school archery. Welcome Rhode Island NASP®!”
With Rhode Island now included, NASP® operates in 48 states and much of NASP®’s success comes from the robust set of standards it operates under. The units of study were written by education, conservation, and target archery experts to meet state and national educational standards. Additionally, instructor certifications, trainings, and equipment requirements are the same across the nation, so teachers in every participating school are certified to present NASP® lessons that are safe for students, instructors, bystanders, and the facility. Archery instruction follows an easy-to-understand and easy-to-teach sequence of steps that is adaptive for most learners and many gymnasiums can become a temporary target range in short order by hanging an arrow backstop curtain.
Wildlife conservation agencies, like DEM, typically act as the state-level link to the national NASP® initiative. For the 2022-2023 academic year, DEM is preparing to host instructor trainings for teachers and administrators interested in bringing NASP® to their schools. Additionally, DEM hopes to grow a lending program where NASP®-approved archery equipment may be loaned to schools who may not be able to purchase their own equipment with their own resources. Teachers and/or school administration interested in learning more about NASP® and upcoming trainings should contact Branton Elleman at branton.elleman.ctr@dem.ri.gov or 401-575-6331.
DEM is able to bring programs like NASP to Rhode Islanders through support from The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program (WSFR).
For more information about DEM divisions and programs, visit www.dem.ri.gov or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.

Starting Sunday, September 11, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will begin a series of night time closures of Route 4 to remove the temporary arches at the Division Street Bridge on the East Greenwich/Warwick line. All the closures will take place from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The southbound lanes of Route 4 will be the first set of closures and will occur as follows:
Sunday, September 11; Monday, September 12; Tuesday, September 13
During these closures, motorists on I-95 south who wish to take Route 4 south should follow a detour using exit 8 to Route 2/South County Trail and Division Street to access the Route 4 south on-ramp just after the East Greenwich Square shopping center. Police details will keep traffic moving through the traffic signals along the detour route.
The northbound lanes of Route 4 closures will occur as follows:
Wednesday, September 14; Thursday, September 15
For traffic wishing to get to I-95 north, all traffic will use exit 9A toward East Greenwich and then get back on I-95 north using the ramp at the next traffic signal. For traffic wishing to get to Route 2 and I-95 south, follow the detour above using I-95 north to exit 10 to reverse direction onto I-95 south. Police details will be on site along the route.
In order to accommodate traffic on the Route 4 north detour, all traffic on Division Street eastbound will need to use the on-ramp to Route 4 south. Take exit 7A to Frenchtown Road and follow the detour to get onto Route 4 north, then take exit 9A toward East Greenwich.
The demolition schedule will be updated daily dependent on the amount of work completed the night before.
The Division Street Bridge is a $22.9 million project to replace a 55-year-old bridge which carries 14,000 vehicles daily.
The Division Street Bridge project is made possible by RhodeWorks and the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Improvement Act [r20.rs6.net]. RIDOT is committed to bringing Rhode Island’s infrastructure into a state of good repair while respecting the environment and striving to improve it. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.